From burlesque extravaganzas and immersive experiences to craft workshops and family fun at a cricket ground, our Progressive communities celebrated in style this Purim.
There were spiels, megillah readings, family parties and plenty of food – as you can see in our picture round-up below.
If your photo is missing please send it to media@progressivejudaism.org.uk (by submitting images, you confirm that your community has appropriate permission to share them).
Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community told the story of Esther interspersed with three rounds of Purim themed games: a quiz, a shadow puppet challenge and a Just a Minute-style competition where contestants had to speak on topics like ‘Triangle-Shaped Food’, ‘People I Would Like to Boo’ and ‘Famous Esthers’.
More than 90 young people and their parents attended a Sunday morning party of arts, crafts, fancy dress, music, games – and of course, hamantaschen, at Menorah Synagogue to celebrate the festival.
Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue welcomed children and families of the community for an unforgettable day at Purimland. They enjoyed immersive celebration inspired by the Purim story, with a costume parade down Mordechai Main Street, sing-along at Shushan Castle, interactive challenges in Ahasuerus’ Animal Kingdom, a Haman’s Haunted Mansion escape, and Esther’s Epcot, which featured a Frozen-themed dry ice experience.
The merging communities of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree and Radlett Reform Synagogue came together for a celebration with cocktails, mocktails, and a Sounds of Purim Megillah singalong.
Purim also saw a joined Radlett and TLSE Cheder day – with pupils bringing donations for the foodbank, making hamantaschen, creating greggars from old CDs and DVDs, listening to the children’s Megillah, watching the Hadracha class Purim spiel, and reflecting on how the story reminds us to help those in need.
At Kingston Liberal Synagogue, Miss Lily’s Underground Cabaret Bar returned for a Purim Extravaganza where members found their burlesque persona. The Megillah was read in every language of KLS.
A joyful musical Purim was enjoyed by all at Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation.
Mamma Mia – What a Megillah! Kol Chai: Hatch End Reform Jewish Community celebrated with an Abba-themed Purim Spiel, while packing Mishloach Manot for older members of the community and eating a whole lot of Hamentashen!
Crouch End Chavurah ran a Lego Crown Making competition and other activities to bring the community together.
York Liberal Jewish Community celebrated Purim with a Bake‑Off‑themed play retelling the story of Esther, Mordecai and Haman — featuring Paul Hollywood played by the chair of the social action sub‑committee — written by Rabbi Elisheva Salamo, and rounded off with a wonderful party for the community.
The Wimbledon Synagogue celebrated Purim with costumes including a couple straight out of Downton Abbey, the Spice Girls, ‘Give Peace a Chance’, and two Mini-Mice.
The new Harlow and Chelmsford Jewish Community celebrated twice, including with a joyful party at the Cloud County Ground, home of Essex Cricket Club.
Harlow and Chelmsford Jewish Community also had a fun family party, complete with plenty of hamantaschen, at their synagogue building in Harlow.
Generations came together for a musical and fun Purim at Finchley Progressive Synagogue
The South London Liberal Synagogue enjoyed a combined Shabbat and Purim service, complete with fancy dress and a sermon from guest preacher Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber of Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue.
The Purim celebrations at Alyth included a family party, Abba-themed Gimme Gimme Gimme A Spiel After Midnight and several Megillah readings.
North Herts Progressive Jewish Community celebrated with mask making, mocktails and a Megillah on the Roof singalong – the Megillah sung to tunes from Fiddler on the Roof.